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The Gaudi-esque Treehouse is an unusual and enchanting hotel, as tranquil in ambiance as the blanket of emerald forest and pristine beach that envelops it. The two dove-white towers are an architectural delight: built mostly without walls they offer 360 degrees views over the Kenyan coastline.
Watamu is a just over an hour’s flight from Nairobi, or a two-hour drive from Mombasa. It is far from being a busy beach town, but Treehouse is separate from any potential crowds that do arrive, located on the quiet southern stretch of the coast. The hotel is accessed via a sandy track and is set back from the beach, which is accessed via a two-minute walk through the woods. Watamu’s first-class coral reef is, handily, opposite the hotel, a couple of hundred metres off the coast, and Mida Creek, good for kayaking and sunset drinks, is a 10-minute drive away.
With its curved stairways winding their way to the roof, and a lack of straight lines and corners, the design gives a nod to Catalan architect Gaudi. The hotel was dreamed up by Kenya’s renowned stained glass artist Nani Croze, whose blue, turquoise, and purple-hued glass designs decorate the towers. The result is a light-filled mosaic of a building that is a delight to be within. Regular yoga lessons and retreats are held, in keeping with the hotel’s focus on well-being. The vibe is very much communal, particularly given the openness of the rooms, so don’t expect total privacy.
None of the seven bedrooms is alike, but each gives superb views over either the forest canopy or Indian Ocean thanks to the wall-less structure. If sharing, the design is quite exposed – the only privacy in the shower and toilet are shoulder-height walls. The beds are vast and laid with fresh white linen. One of the Treehouse’s most popular rooms is the rooftop Star Bed, which, as the name suggests, has glass doors that allow guests to gaze at the stars from their bed.
The menu is very healthy – almost militantly so. Often they abide by a no-sugar rule. Unsurprisingly, given the location, wonderfully fresh seafood featured in most meals, along with delicious salads and soups. Breakfast was fruit and muesli, followed by eggs, bacon and avocado. Meals are served at set times. Alcohol was not available but guests are welcome to bring their own. The towers are also available to rent on a self-catered basis for large groups.
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